Carrollwood Baptist Church, May 2020
Coming
Back from Covid-19
I hope that you and your family are
doing well. I am continually grateful for you and for the technology that
allows all of us to feel somewhat connected during this time of physical distancing.
With our community and state in phase 1 of recovery, your staff is working on
plans for our eventual campus opening. We see this happening in phases and will
be contingent on community guidelines and norms. I have been in contact with a
number of churches and our local Tampa Bay Baptist Association has been very
helpful in the way of providing resources for churches. We are hopeful that we
will begin to provide onsite worship at some level beginning early
June. This is tentative and would be worship
only with certain guidelines in place. Other programs and ministries
would be phased in at appropriate times to be determined. Of course, we will
keep a close eye on updates from our state and local officials on the status of
combatting Covid-19 and their recommendations. Foremost, we will continue to be
sensitive as we move forward always with the thought of loving our neighbors.
“To Do” Focus
With a partial return in mind, here
is a look at what we will be working on to be ready prior to any onsite
meetings.
·
Staff
will be conducting a campus “walk-through” to determine the following:
o
Prioritize
areas of need for cleaning and sanitizing prior to our first meeting.
o
Develop
cleaning and sanitizing protocols for what is to be carried out Sunday mornings.
o
The
church buildings and grounds will be evaluated with the view of making plans to
pick up trash and debris and other items that detract from the overall
cleanliness and appearance of our church property.
·
Life
Center will be reset to accommodate social distancing measures (possibly 25% of
current capacity). To accommodate everyone safely, two services would most
likely be offered. The service will be livestreamed and persons who feel that
they may be vulnerable or who are just not ready to return to a public space
will be encouraged to remain home.
·
Cleaning
team(s) will need to be assembled to assist in cleaning and sanitizing Life
Center between services (carrying out the protocols developed).
·
Sanitizing
stations will be in place at the entrance and exit to the Life Center.
·
Offering
boxes will be installed at the entrance and exit to the Life Center.
·
Other
measures will be put in place to ensure safe distancing and lessen physical
contact between worshipers.
Bible Studies
Small group leaders are urged to
continue connecting with their small groups through Zoom or other available
platforms. A tutorial video will be provided to group leaders who are not
currently conducting an online study. The ministerial staff will continue
providing their weekly devotions and Bible studies online on our Facebook page
and on our website Carrollwoodbaptist.org.
Here Is What Is Currently Being
Offered
Sundays
9:00
a.m. Devotional and Prayer with
Pastor Joe (Facebook)
9:15
a.m. “Exploring the Bible” Adult
Bible Study
Overview with Pastor Joe (Website)
9:15 a.m. Bible studies via Zoom. Groups and times may vary, check with
your group.
10:00
a.m. Kids Connect with Sarah
(Website)
10:30
a.m. Sunday Morning Worship Service
(Website and Facebook)
Wednesdays
6:00 p.m. Midweek Bible Study for Students with Pastor Matt (Zoom)
7:00
p.m. Midweek Bible Study with
Pastor Joe (Facebook)
7:00
p.m. Pastor Bill’s Midweek Study
(Website)
Thursdays
9:00
a.m. Devotional with Pastor Bill
(Facebook)
Others in our fellowship, like Dave
Fredericks (favorite hymns) and Pastor Tom (aka, Kokomo) have stepped up to offer
their unique ministries on Facebook to encourage us a church family during this
time. Thank you for your ministry!
Year End Children’s Ministry Event
Since we are not able to recognize
our children as we normally would do at the end of the school semester, we are
planning to have a safe “drive through” pick up event on Wednesday May 20th from 6:30-7:00 p.m. Leaders from our
GA’s, RA’s, and Children’s Choirs will be onsite at appropriate social
distancing spots distributing awards to our children and parents as they drive
through our campus. Staff will also be onsite. Other persons are invited to
park in a designated area and show their support to our children. This will be
a special way to honor our children and adults who have participated in these
important ministries.
2020
Graduates!
We love all our graduates and are
very proud of each one of them. And we hope to soon be celebrating with them in
person. Here are our 2020 Graduates. Be sure to let them know how much you love
them and are praying for them.
Karalynn
Keifer, Gaither High School
Justin
Stathas, Tampa Christian Community School
Grace
Thornbury, Steinbrenner High School
Lilly
Brichner, University of South Florida (USF)
Dakota
Nalls, University of South Florida (USF)
Missionary Family: Welcome to the Womble’s who are
staying with us at the church’s Mission House. Jeff, Cindy and Bethany serve as
missionaries to Southeast Asia through our International Mission Board. You can
check out a brief introductory video from the Womble’s on our website from our
May 3rd worship service.
In
Remembrance
With thankfulness and fond memories,
we remember the following persons who recently have gone to be with our Lord.
Love and prayers of comfort to their families during this time. “Blessed are
those who die in the Lord . . . they will rest from their labor . . . their
deeds will follow them.” Revelation 14:13
Jack
DeWan
Jim
Eckler
Richard
Martin
Jimmy
Young
Kym,
Pat Lindsey’s Niece
Mark,
Chip Sutton’s Cousin
Thank you for your continued faithfulness
during this season to connect with others in the body of Christ, to be a
blessing by serving your neighbors, and by supporting your church fellowship.
And remember, God is at work, even when we don’t see it, he’s working and even
when we don’t feel it, he’s working. He never stops working! We continue to
claim Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in
all your ways submit to him, and he will make your
paths straight.”
As always, let us know if you have a
need or if you know of someone that does. And finally, thank you for your
patience as we navigate through unchartered waters. Some of our best laid plans
will most likely have to be adjusted, but that’s ok, we will continue to be
fluid and walk through this together.
God bless you and keep you, have a
great week in the Lord!
Pastor Joe
“I
thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3
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